Cary Whitaker papers, 1798-1930 (bulk 1859-1865).

Abstract: Cary Whitaker was born on 1 January 1832 in Halifax County, N.C. He was a student at the University of North Carolina, 1850-1852; a teacher, 1852-1857; and a lawyer, 1857-1861. During the Civil War, he was captain and then acting colonel of the 43rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. He was judge advocate, C.S.A., 1864-1865. He died 20 April 1865 as a result of wounds received in battle. The collection consists of a diary, 1864, written while Whitaker was captain of Company D, 43rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment, serving in Virginia, recounting camp life, battles, and hospital experience; Whitaker’s notebook containing model statements for indictments or convictions for crimes, most involving slaves or free blacks, 1859; an inventory of property of J. S. and Cary Whitaker, 1865, and other entries; Civil War documents, 1862-1865; and scattered Whitaker family papers, including a few family and business letters from Halifax County, N.C., 1798-1980.

Repository: Southern Historical Collection

Collection Highlights: The notebook includes Whitaker’s model statements for indictments or convictions for crimes, most involving slaves or free blacks (1859). See Folder 2.